Oscillating mechanism for sprayers



March 23, 1954 w. w. TRANTER 2,672,759

OSCILLATING MECHANISM FOR SPRAYERS Filed Aug. 24, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet l I FALL" 11V VEIV TOR. Wal'so 2 WTz -mnimr March 23, 1954 w. w. TRANTER .OSCILLATING MECHANISM FOR SPRAYERS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 24, 1948 INVENTOR. Zilalsar? WW8???- LO vQIGA LO. (BMW .wh w i fl'liornizf March 23, 1954 w. w. TRANTER OSCILLATING MECHANISM FOR SPRAYERS Filed Aug. 24, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. I 14% ison Wff'arzier ,BY Loubruw @MJVMJ March 23, 1954 w. w. TRANTER OSCILLATING MECHANISM FOR SPRAYERS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. 24, 1948 was L] ///l JNVENTOR. Watson WTranier BY Lo %LQ.W

Patentecl Mar. 23, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,672,759 OSCILLATING MECHANISM FOR SPRAYERS Watson W. Tranter, York, Pa. Application August 24, 1948, Serial No. 45,820 6 Claims. (01. 299-37) This invention relates to sprayers and has particular relation to those Sprayers wherein there is a double head for delivering a spray in two opposite directions.

In the use of power sprayers, particularly for orchards, it is sometimes necessary or desirable to obtain the maximum amount of spraying for a minimum travel over the ground. In this way, the travel of the machine is reduced to a minimum and time in trees is conserved.

The primary object of this invention is the provision of an improved spraying machine.

Another object sion of an improved spraying machine wherein two spray heads are provided for delivery of spray in two directions.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an improved spraying machine wherein two oscillatory spray heads are provided for delivery of spray in two general directions and are operated by a single power operated means.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of an improved spraying machine wherein two oscillatory spray heads are provided for delivery of spray in two general directions and are adjustable for height of angle of spray heads by a single adjusting means.

Another and further object of the invention is the provision of an improved spraying machine wherein two oscillatory spray heads are provided for delivery of spray in two general directions and are provided with means by which the angle of the spray throw may be, for both spray heads, adjusted by a single adjusting means.

Another and still further object of the invention is the provision of an improved spraying are provided two oscillocated in the pivot of the delivering the spray to the of the invention is the provi- I delivering spray in two I operating member for the livering spray in two generally opposite directions and having readily adjustable nozzles for varying the delivery in the nozzles to equalize the efifect of the wind as between the spray heads pointing in generally opposite directions.

Other and further objects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from a reading of the complete specification and claims.

Referring to the drawing wherein is illustrated an embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the invention showing the sprayer heads at substantially horizontal positions.

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but with the sprayer heads in raised positions, the counterbalance springs being broken away for clearness.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the invention with the sprayer heads in horizontal positions.

Fig. 4 is a detail view showing part of the operating mechanism, with parts omitted for clearness.

Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view of one nozzle.

Fig. 5a is a detail view of the plate 38 of Fig. 5.

Fig. '6 is a diagrammatic view of the power connections from the trailer power mower.

Fig. 7 is a cross sectional view taken generally.

on the line 1-! of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a cross sectional view taken generally on the line 8-8 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 is a top plan view of the invention applied to a tank trailer, some parts being omitted for the sake of clearness.

Fig. 10 is an elevation of the structure of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a detail view showing the adjusting and pivoting means of the bell crank lever.

Fig. 12 is a modified detail view of the liquid control means.

Throughout the specification and drawing, the same reference characters refer to the same or similar parts.

The numeral 2t designates the platform upon which the sprayer mechanism is mounted which platform may be a part of a sprayer trailer as illustrated.

tatably mounted on the head plate 23 is a flanged frame 24 which is rotatable on the head plate 23. The lower portion of the rotatable frame 24 comprises the circular flange 24a from which eX- tends upwardly the main cylindrical portion of this rotatable frame, which has been designated 2411.. To secure the flange 2M in any desired adjusted position, there are two clamp members 243: which are secured by the studs 24?}. Connected to the lower portion of the cylindrical member 24 is a U -shaped member 2%. At each side of the U-shaped member 2% are two upwardly and outwardly divergent arms 2 50 and 24d. The arms 240, one from; each side, form. a pair of arms to support a sprayer head 2% and the arms 24d, one from each side, form a pair of supporting arms for the other sprayer head 21, as will later be made clear.

Within the center of the frame member 2a is a vertically reciprocating power suitably mounted in bearings and is connected at its upper end to the oscillatory operating means for the sprayer heads 26, Ti, and at its lower end'z to the gearing which gives it its power function.

Both. of these mechanisms will; presently be described.

Pivotecl as at 240 at. the outer ends of the respective-arms: 24c and 24d areplates- 26m, 27m, which are rigidly secured to the outer shells. of the-sprayer heads 2G. 2?. These pivots 26leform the supports for the are the pivots. about which the heads oscillate during. the spraying operation. Connected to each side of a rigidpartof one sprayer head 2?, above the. pivots 24c are a pair of connecting rods zfl, 'l heopposite. ends of these connecting rods 28 are pivotally connected to the other SQIQAIGI'. head 26 at the" same distaneebelow the pivot 246 as theother endisabove its pivotilcc. These: IOds328 havepivot members 2%- in which the rods are respectively threaded and are pro vided: with suitable locking. nuts 28b for holding the rods 28 and. their pivoted members in adju ted relative positions. The adjusiment of these nods-is;v usually made during the assembly operation and adjustment should not later-again be necessary unlesstheparts get out of adjust.- ment.. Extendingbetweenthe arms t le. is a web member 24 whichcarrieslugstdc. lnsuitable bearingsrinathelugs My; is a pivot. pin Edit. 611 the;pivot. pimZlh there-isswingingly mounted a bell crank lever 29. Connected to two symmetricalipoints; on: opposite sides of the bell crank lever member 2% are nectech respectivelyv to the bell. crank lever member; 29: and: the power. rod 2.5 by the pivot. pins 30a and 3%. It will be clear. from-this construetion that'when the rod 25ireciprocatesvertically, the bell crank lever member 29 will theipivotpinlfihu Mounted to slideon the top of the. hellcrank lever membertilis a slide mern ber. 32; is installed in a hole in the slide member 32 theaslide: 32; and; soplaced. as to slide in theslot; 32a. in: the bell. crank. lever member 2?; At the upper or outermost position of the slide 32: and on?therbellxcrank:levervmernber its, there isilocated .azstop. member: 2%. It. will be observed that the. upperrp'ortionrof theslideiil has side extending portions 322; and 32c at theeiztremi ties oiwhich' are locatedapivots Stdand we An. adjustingv bolt.

Bivoted on-these pivots 32d and 32c are the inner. endszof. a. pair of: sprayer head-operating rodsefli. The" otherrends of' these head-operating rodsg3 larepivotally connected by the pivots 2th which. are suitably secured on the head it by the plates 3-5. These plates-3E3" which are secured to: the: headi 26.- in any suitable manner as rod 25- which is sprayer heads 25, all, andlinks 3161 which. are con.-'

swing about with its head below bywelding; have *two :or more openings I tie in which I cats; When once'set', the delivery will bethe pivots 261) can be placed to vary the throw of the head 26 when in operation.

From the above description, it will be clear that any change in the position of the outer pivot of the rod 3 5 where connected to the plates 35 will change the lower and upper angular limits of the positions of the head 26 when in operation and by changing position of the slide 32 on the bell crank lever member 29, the distance of the pivot 32d, are from the fulcrum 2 th will be changed with the result" that the swing of the head it will be increased or decreased according to the place in which the plate 32 is secured on the. bel1= crank lever. member 29. As already shown, any change in the movement of the head 26- causesa: corresponding change in the movement. of, the. head 21.

In the present embodiment, each head 2t, 2? is provided with three nozzle carrying pipes 37 spaced from the parallel sides, and being substantially' in a plane normal. to. the direction of delivery of. the spray. Each. pipe 31 is provided. with three. nozzles; which will now be described.

In order to provide for the meeting of the wind conditions, it is sometimes desirable to have the'air and spray blastfrom one sprayer head at ahigher velocity than the other sprayer head. In; order to. bring: this. about there are provided: means for adjusting. the force of the: spray which in turn causes. and deter-mines the intensity of the air blast.

The: pipes. 31: have. sections. 31a and between these. are? nozzle sections 3 119 which sectionsv 31a and sl'b may besecured together by union connectionsto. insurethat therewill-be no-leakage of. the. spray liquid. The nozzlesections 31b are: each provided with an annular head section 310 which has a seat to receiver the valve plate 38. This plate is provided with acentr-al conicalopening' 38m anda series of slanting openings 381); which. considered circumferentially', slant.- in the-same direction. These openings 38a and 38b, receive: their sprayliquid. from the interiors of the sections 391a and deliver the spray'to a cham- 42:which has a conical en'di na and a thumb and This: needle valve is threaded finger pieee- 42b; inzianr. enlargedz. portion 3'1d of. the nozzle. section 312). A packing 43 which is held in place by the gland. 4'4 1 preventstleaka'ge: along the stem of the needle va-lvc 42. As the liquid passes through the openings. 38a and 381),- the slanting position of the openings Mil-causes a spiral action which with the conical stream from the conical orifice betweentlie opening 38a andtlie conical end 42a; causes amaximum-amount ofliquid to be forced from the opening Mia. By varying the adjustment of the val've42', a greater or less amount of liquid? may be put forth;

In this construction, the shell of the head 25 2T operates as-a' guide forthe' air which is mixed with theli'quid as it'leaves the nozzles and 'forms a spray. Sincethenozzls-of'oneheadmay be adjusted in one adjustment and the nozzles; of

the other head in another adjustment, the de sired difference in delivery of the spray heads may be maintained as the conditions may indithe l aovavea nections 55 which are connected to the liquid.

tank to be described.

In order to act as a counterbalance, two springs 46 are provided. These springs 45 are connected at their upper ends to the plate 27a: above the pivot 24c on which the head 27 is pivoted. The lower ends of the counterbalance springs 45 are connected to the arms 240.

The main frame ill of the sprayer trailer is supported by the wheels 55. The forward end of the frame 2| is provided with a hitch 21a with supply liquid for the spray.

At the forward end of the main frame 21 is an internal combustion engine 5!, which has a drive gear connection 53, 55a to a pump 54. A counter shaft 55b which drives the pump 54 extends through the housing of the pump 54 and is connected to an agitator drive 56. This agitator drive 56 rotates the agitator shaft 57, having agitator blades 57a, all in a well-known manner.

The rear end of the agitator shaft 51 is provided with a double universal connection 58 which is connected to a short shaft 59 on which is mounted a V-pulley 60. connected to a V-pulley 6| by a V-belt 62. Swing ingly and pivotally mounted in a position to contact the V-belt 62 on the pulleys SI and 32 is the idler pulley 53. The pulley BI is mounted on a shaft 64 which has at its other end the gear 65. This gear 55 drives a pivotally mounted idler gear 66, which in turn drives the gear Bl which rotates on and with the shaft 68. The shaft 65 also carries a crank arm 59 which drives the oscillating mechanism for the sprayer heads, already described.

Connected to the wrist pin 69a is the lower end of the connecting rod ill, the upper end of which is connected by a pivot 'H to the substantially vertically movable power rod 25, al-

ready described. The power rod is cylindrical and has a common axis with the vertical axis of rotation of the sprayer heads unit. As the liquid under pressure leaves the pump 54, it passes through a pipe line 54b to a cut-off valve 540. This cut-off valve 540 is connected by an operating rod 54d, on the end of which is an operatives operating handle 54c. This latter is located near the operatives platform near the forward end of the trailer.

To the cut-ofi-valve 540 is connected a pipe 5411 which is provided with two branches-one toward each side. To each of the branches 541, is connected a flexible hose 45x, already described. The operative by his control of the cut-off valve 540, by means of the handle 545, may, at will, start and stop the delivery of the spray liquid to the sprayer heads.

On the forward end of the trailer is a handle '73 on the end of a rearwardly extending rod M, which connects to one arm of a bell crank lever 75 at its rear end. The other end of the bell crank lever 15 is connected to a vertically extending rod 16, which at is lower end is connected to an arm of the bell crank lever 71.

This V-pulley to is pivotally supported at 19a below the platform 20. This bell crank 19 carries on one of its arms at 19b the idler pulley 63 already described. It

on the handle 13, the idler pulley 63 will be forced into or out of engagement with the belt 62, which will act as a clutch means to transmit power from the V-pulley 60 to the V-pulley 6| to drive the crank member 69 and to thereby drive the connecting rod 10 to, in turn, drive the vertically oscillating mechanism to control the movement of the sprayer head in a vertical plane as has already been described.

As already stated, the connecting rod lll drives the power rod 25 and reciprocates the same in a substantially vertical line. Mounted on the top of the power rod 25 and swivelled on a substantially vertical axis is the swivel block 12. This swivel block 12 and the bell crank 29 are pivotally connected by the pair of links 30.

The operation as a whole will now be described.

With the sprayer trailer connected to a truck or tractor T, the motor 5! is started and the clutch (not shown) to the pump 54 is thrown in and power is supplied to the pump 54 by the pump drive gearing 53, 53a. The shaft 55b rotates to furnish power for the moving parts of the pump 54. The pump 5% draws its liquid from the tank 52 by the conduit 54a and delivers it through the pipe 542). While the liquid is drawn from the tank 32, the agitator drive gear 56 is rotating the agitator shaft 57 so that the agitator blades 57a will stir up thesolid matter in the liquid within the tank 23 in preparation for its eventual delivery to the nozzles openings 40a.

The agitator shaft 51 drives the double universal joint 55, which in turn drives the shaft 59, the pulleys 60 and 6!, the shaft 54, the gears 65, 66 and 67 and the shaft 68. The shaft 68 turns the crank 59 which through the connecting rod 70, causes the up and down reciprocating motion to the cross-head or power rod 25. The swivel block 12 at the top of the cross-head or power rod 25 moves up and down with the cross-head or power rod 25 and moves the links 30. Since the upper ends of the links 3!] are connected to the bell crank lever 29 and since this lever 29 is connected to the sprayer head-operating rods 34, it follows that these rods 34, through their connections to the sprayer head 25, will operate to cause the oscillations of the sprayer head 26, and through the rods 28, the head 2'! will oscillate simultaneously. By changing the adjustment of the pivots 26b in the opening 35a of the plates 35, the angular height of the axis of the sprayer head can be controlled. It is to be noted that the positioning of the pivot 26b in openings 35a nearer to the axis of the pivots 246, will cause the axis of the sprayer head 26 to make a greater angular turn. Adjustment of the slide 32 along the bell crank lever member 29 gives a greater or less angular travel to the sprayer heads 26 and 27.

As the pressure within the nozzles forces the liquid therefrom, the air within the head shell is forced outwardly in a manner which produces a result similar to that of a Venturi tube, a great volume of the air being moved at a great speed.

This action causes the finely-divided spray to be deliveredimitwosdirections-andiatgreat distances from'ithe sprayiheads.

fro :meet :different working icornditions, ilt "is found .to be advantageous iior the operative ito bezableio adjust theaspray headsia'boutra vertical axis. To doithisfit lisvonly necessary ifor athe operative to lo'osen the studs 3-24y rand ztighten *the same'afterthezwholesassembly has :been adjusted tonne desired angle.

'Inipracticeytheipivotflfib'would bexinstalle'd in that opening 235a iwhich' would place :thezsprayer heads ;.in the 1.131'01161 angular positions at rtheir highest angular :positions 130 aperform the :necessary iinncti'on :in itreatment of ithe trees rho :be sprayed. In zadditi'on, the slide 332 --vvonlld ibe aidjnstedfco 1.prnduce =the zdesired zang'le rof aoscillation. With 31311858 adjustments nnmpleted, :the tractor or truck draws :the sprayer ralong, ior example, through sansorch ard.

5A5 :the. start or :finisn :of cillation of tithe sprayer lhead :niay she .is'tarted .01 stopped byrthernnvement of-itheihandle"Mislooated withinareachztof thenperative. :Inzlikexnannerthe delivery f rthe isprayzcanzhentarted or rstopped by theihandle 54c.

dirseparatewalve for eaohesprayer :lread:mayl=be usedtif desired, aashown. in 'Fig. 12 'where anzadditional walve 151th with its :rod :a' i'g and handle 5. 31) rare shown.

While an embodiment OfQllhBiiIlVGIllliOIlihfiS'bBQll illustrated and described in :detail, it is -to :be understood "that the disclosure is :merely Allustrative :and ithat :modifications and changes :may be: made -'without departingrfromithe SpiIitfOf z-the invention and Within its scope :a-s claimed.

l'Iavingidescribed my invention, what 1 .claim is:

1. An oscillating mechanismzfor azsprayer having' two opposite sprayer ahead supporting means, comprising :a isupp'ort, the support rhaviing spaced extensions ifor handing .the .head supporting means; awerticaliy:reciprocatingmember,ra lever frilornmed ion the :supportand having :one -of its arms! connected to :the reciprocatingimemher, zthe other .:arm .oi :the l'lever having a length varying member to *alterthe length-Moi the ilever arm to :thereby change the throvv :oi the lever arm and an oscillator-"connection i-from' the :end of ?the length-yarying "member fto :the sprayer head :supportingmeans *to transmit the variable throw of :the ilever :to :the s'sprayer head supporting means.

2. An:oscillatingmrechanism for azsprayerzhaving itwo-pppositely spaced pivoted isprayer head supporting5means, .comprisin gsaisupporhahe:sup-

port E having uspac'ed extensions iior :carrying the headssupporting means a ,verticallyireciprocating member the :CEIIUBI :of tithe support, a :lever iulcrumed on the support and :having :one Of its arms connected :to the membenitherotherrarmof the leverrhaving asliding =length varying --member to alter the leverarm (length to rthereby change the throw of the lever .arm end .and an .oscillatoraconnection from the endro'f the variablejlevenarm to the sprayer head supporting means to transmit [the variable throw of the leverto the sprayer'head supporting means.

3. An oscillating mechanism for a sprayer having two "oppositely directed and pivoted sprayer head supporting means, "comprising *a support, bearing means ior pivoting the support an aoperation, ithe ;os-

vertically reciprocating about a vertical axis, the support liaving spaced extensions ffor carrying the sprayer head supporting :means, a vertically reciprocating "memher at the :center of the support, *a lever 'fiilcrumed on the .support and -having its arms pivotally connected to the top of the vertically reciprocat'ng member and to th'e sprayer head supporting means, the connection to the head supporting means *including a variably spaced pivot carrying member on the lever for Warying the position of the connection with relation to the fiilcrum of the lever.

4. An oscillating mechanismfor'a sprayer having two opposite-sprayer head supporting means, comprising a supportgthe :support -having spaced extensions for carrying the head supporting means, a-vertioally reciprocating-memberpa lever fulcrumed on the: support and having 1 one of tits arms connected to the' reciprocatingvmeniber, the othersarm o'f the l'ever beingsconnected byalink to thexhead supportingmeans' the connection of the link to the lever comprising an adjustable means along a line' making a minimum ofichange when the head supporting means' iapointed to its lower position, thus varying the angular throw and the :upper angularrposition without substantially chang'ing thellovver?limitvof movement.

5. :An oscillating mechanism for :a sprayer head pivoted supporting zmeans, :comprising in support, the-support vhavingspacedextensions for pivotally carrying the sprayer head supporting meansia vertically:reciprocatingznemberga lever fulcrum'ednn :the support and shaving zone of armslconnected to zthezreciprocating :membenthe other armsoftthe lever having-inn arm-length'avarying !member to :alter the efiec'tive position -::of .ihe second mentionedsarmaai connecting .meniber between the second arm and ithe :pivoted ssprayer head rrsupporting zmeans, .the connection (or xthe connectingz-n'remberto'the secondarmibeingzalong aline: torgiveiatzminimum change :o'f positioncto the sprayer 'rhead lsupporting :means, :and Z3: rconnection -rbetween the :i'two :sprayer ahead isupport'mg means zto :oause ;sim1iltaneous4oscillating ref the two: sprayer hflfidifillPpOl'tiIlglIHfiEllsliIliE35113351231 tially vertical plane.

-6. An (oscillating :menhanism for :a ipimted sprayer head supporting imeans, :comprising ;a support, vEhaving members "for marrying the head .supsportingemcans, :an aoperating :oscillating fulcrumed on the support, van adjustable conmentionrbetween'thevleveriandzpivotedlhead supporting means, .said "connection :includmg: an adjustable :means ifonvarying :;the :swing 'andaupper angular ,position :of the rhead :supporting xmeans without changnig;-substantially, the'lower. limit of swing sand ra :second sadiustable 6111188118 :f or warying the lowenlimitof swing.

References rGited :in the idle of 'this ,patent :UNITED l'ST'AiDES :BATEN'I S Number Name (Date 436,276 Van'Depoele Scpt.9,"lf890 5391862 Faure'etal, May 28,1895

1137 1,580 .Smith 15, 1921 1,4011'744 Watson Dec. "21,1921 1,729,664 Furguson "Octfl, I929 212311687 Parsons et'al. A pr.8, 1941 2,411,9.64 lGrass 'Decx3, 1946 2,480,889 *Swift Sept."6,l'949 

